a.d. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1558. 



must answere word for word, among which one is, that 

 the childe shal forsake the devill, and as that name 

 is pronounced, they must all spit at the word as often 

 as it is repeated. Then he blesseth the water which is 

 in the pot, and doth breathe over it : then he taketh 

 al the candles which the gosseps have, and holding 

 them all in one hand letteth part of them drop into 

 the water, and then giveth every one his candle againe, 

 and when the water is sanctified, he taketh the childe 

 and holdeth it in a small tubbe, and one of the God- 

 fathers taketh the pot with warme water, and powreth 

 it all upon the childs head. 

 [I. 322.] After this he hath many more ceremonies, as anoynting 

 eares and eyes with spittle, and making certaine crosses 

 with oyle upon the backe, head, and brest of the childe : 

 then taking the childe in his armes, carieth it to the 

 images of S. Nicholas, and our Ladie, &c. and speaketh 

 unto the images, desiring them to take charge of the 

 childe, that he may live, and beleeve as a Christian 

 man or woman ought to doe, with many other words. 

 Then comming backe from the images, he taketh a 

 paire of sheares and clippeth the yong and tender haires 

 of the childes head, in three or foure places, and then 

 delivereth the childe, whereunto every of the Godfathers 

 & Godmothers lay a hand : then the priest chargeth 

 them, that the childe be brought up in the faith & feare 

 of God or Christ, and that it be instructed to clinege and 

 bow to the images, and so they make an end : then one of 

 the Godfathers must hang a crosse about the necke of the 

 childe, which he must alwayes weare, for that Russe which 

 hath not a crosse about his necke they esteeme as no 

 Christian man, and thereupon they say that we are no 

 Christians, because we do not weare crosses as they do. 



Of their Matrimonie. 



THeir matrimonie is nothing solemnized, but rather 

 in most points abhominable, and as neere as I can 

 learne, in this wise following. 



444 



